VMS RDB database

[Vic_34]

We have a old RDB database on VAX without and documentation. How I can use SQL or any way to get all the table names in that database and all the field name in each table.

Please help. IT tell us the VAX will retired and I have no way to know how to pull the data out.

Thank you

[Peter Quodling]

Does this VAX have any semblance of the RDB application software still on it, or are the database files, just parked there. If not, what flavour of SQL are you planning to use to get to it. Is that SQL on the VAX, or elsewhere..

I would start with determining if you have a functioning RDB SQL there.

Type SQL at the VMS Prompt. Do you get anything.

If not, do a dir sys$system:SQL*.* to see if there is an SQL image.

if so, ddefine a foreign symbol SQL :== $SQL$

Type SQL and then try an "attach 'Filename nameofdb';"

then a "Show TABLE "

and report back...

q

[Chris Barratt]

When you use work out what tables are there and want to get the data out, "RMU/UNLOAD" might be a useful tool to do this with.
You can unload into a text file format which you can use for whatever purpose you want.
Cheers,
chris

P.S. Documentation is available on the Rdb web site.

[Ian Miller.]

$run sys$system:sql$
will start SQL then you can attach to the database ATTACH 'FILENAME nameoffile' then the SHOW TABLE command will tell you about the tables that are defined and SHOW TABLE tablename will tell you fields within tables.

HELP SHOW TABLE will display some help text.

RMU/UNLOAD is the command to use to retreive data data.

RDB documentations is online
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/rdb/rdb_doc_index.html

[Dale A. Marcy]

You do not specify versions. If your version is old enough to be prior to sql, then the following commands will show you the tables:

$ rdo
RDO> invoke database filename
RDO> show relations
RDO> show fields for
RDO> exit

In the above, you will need to replace items in <> with actual names. There is also help available in RDO.

[Karl Rohwedder]

You did not tell us, if you just want to extract the data or continue using the database.
In the later case it is possible to use a emulator on windows/unix (e.g. Charon-VAX comercial, or SIMH free of charge)and copy your VMS system over to the emulator.

Besides this, there is an unsupported version of RDB for Windows, called RDB workbench, which can be downloaded from the oracle website.

regards Kalle

[Stephen Daddona]

One more thing about the RMU/UNLOAD command. If you're going to transfer the data to another platform, you can't use the default data file that UNLOAD creates. You'll have to use the /record_definition qualifier, similar to wht we use to move data to MS SQL Server:

rmu/unload/record_definition=(file=,- format=delimited_text,prefix="",separator="|",suffix="")

[Stephen Daddona]

A good place to get Rdb answers is through a List Server at JCC Consulting's web site. Go to www.jcc.com/listserver.htm and get yourself signed up.